Junior Kendo part of the Butokukan Kendo Dojo taught by James

Mondays, school term time, 5-6pm for ages 8 to 17 year olds 

The Butokukan Kendo Dojo, part of the British Kendo Renmei, has taught traditional Kendo to students for over 50 years across the Brighton and Lewes area.

Kendo (the way of the sword) is one of Japan’s most sacred exports. James has been a member of the Butokukan Kendo dojo since he was 6 years old in the 1980’s and has been taught by a number of Sensei from around the world including Japan. Both his father and mother practised Kendo with his father being a Sensei within the Butokukan Kendo Dojo for many years.

‘Since I can remember Kendo has been with me and whilst to the lay person it may seem to be just another martial art, in actual fact it offers opportunities to understand budo (the way of martial arts) and bushido (the way of the samurai) to great depths.’

Please contact James on 07711246090 (WhatsApp is best) or at sallyjamesfamily@gmail.com if you are interested in joining or have family members who would like to join. School term dates and fees apply which equate to £6/practise. All fees are not for profit and James is not paid for his time. 

Kundalini Yoga with Euna

Mondays 7:45pm – 9:15pm
£10 per session

“An empowering, life-changing technology that is easier experienced than to explain” (Carolyn Cowan)

Open to newbies and the experienced. Pre-booking is essential as spaces are limited: text 07774 075905 or message via Facebook  @kundaliniyogawitheuna

Kundalini yoga is a guided practice which combines physical asana (postures), breath work with mudras (hand gestures), bandhas (body locks) and mantras. It works to balance the glandular system, strengthen the nervous system, expands lung capacity and purifies the blood. It promotes both physical and emotional well being.

I thought the first class I attended as a student of Kundalini was wacky and not like any other yoga I had done before. A whole class with my eyes closed doing movements, postures, chanting; the experience was definitely different! But I instantly felt the benefits of this powerful energy: I was left with a clear sense of well-being and lightness.

My introduction to Kundalini yoga was over 13 years ago in the lovely space of West Hill Hall. Over the years, I have continued to practise Kundalini yoga there most weeks. I have continued to expand my knowledge and experience and I am now a trained teacher. I offer classes designed to give you an experience to reveal your true essence and bring about balance, both physically and mentally.

See you in class. Sat Nam

Synergy Creative Community

Tuesdays 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Synergy Creative Community is a mutually supporting peer group based in Brighton and Hove which started in 2009 and is a registered Community Interest Company. We all have mental health issues, or an interest in mental health issues. We run Synergy for and by ourselves, independent of NHS or Social Services. This includes everything from setting up through to fundraising. Our focus is on better health through creativity, mindfulness and nutrition.

The creativity-based structure of the day provides the foundation for members to socialise and gain confidence in an environment where we are all valued. We feel that this aids prevention, as well as recovery, acting as a bridge between the hospital and/or clinical services and the wider community. It can help to reduce the risk of isolation and hospital admittance rates, and also helps to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. At the heart our approach is the aim to create a non-judgemental, inclusive space, for people to connect and share experiences of rediscovery, recovery and reintegration; providing a basis for open dialogue, communication and reflective healing.

Full details: http://www.synergycreative.org.uk/info/

Gentle Exercise to Music for Everyone – Avril Solomon

Wednesdays 10:15am – 11:15am

Start feeling stronger, more flexible, have fun and make new friends. Everyone is welcome to come along and join us. The exercises are a combination of yoga, pilates, dance and physio and can be done seated or standing.

I’ve been teaching dance exercise classes for the over 50s for 10 years in Brighton, Lewes and Hassocks and have organised flashmobs for non dancers and anyone who wants to move and have fun. 

The class is £50 for 10 sessions or £6 drop in.  If you would like more information please call me on 07825 739216 or email me at avril_solomon@yahoo.co.uk. 

The Jollof Cafe

Wednesdays 12.00pm  – 3.00pm (food served from 1pm approx)

The Jollof Café is a project of the Sussex Refugee and Migrant Self Group. We are a group of people trapped wrong side of the UK’s vicious immigration system and a few people support. We work together to resolve our immigration policies and navigate the. Hostile Environment. We collaborate closely with migrant housing charity, Thousand 4 Thousand. We set up the Jollof Café to claim our rightful place as your neighbour and to show Brighton what hospitality looks like.

We cook food from countries of origin, adapted through a vegetarian/vegan diet and welcome in our community to share our joy and our experience. It is also space where asylum seekers and forced migrants can come for love and support. Do join us on a Wednesday lunchtime and share a meal with us. Just remember, it’s worth talking to strangers, quite  a lot of them have sweets.

https://www.facebook.com/jollofcafe

Singing Circle & The Healing Voice

Start date 7th Jan 2025 7pm -9.30pm

9 week course exploring therapeutic voicework and circle singing.

Circle Singing is a fun and playful exploration of voice, group singing and in-the-moment music making

Therapeutic Voicework is a gentle, meditative approach that fosters a deeper connection with ourselves and supports wellbeing.   

In these sessions you will learn simple vocal tools that help tap into the parasympathetic nervous system, release emotional/ mental blocks and cultivate a deeper connection to innate wisdom.  We also sing together, weaving tapestries of sound whilst learning new techniques and building blocks for song creation and vocal collaboration. 

No experience required.  These sessions are for anyone interested in singing and the voice, including those who don’t think they can sing. 

Starts Tuesday 7th Jan, 7 – 9:30pm

9 weeks excluding the last Tuesday of the month

Ukulele for Improvers

Tuesdays : new term tbc

Tutor: Zac Hooper
A fantastic starter instrument, Ukulele is a fun and practical alternative to guitar.  A great way in to learning other string instruments as well. Many people who have struggled to learn an instrument are finding the ‘uke’ is a solution. It’s fun, affordable and accessible, while being extremely versatile. It’s also suitable for many musical styles and the skills learned can be transferred to other string instruments. Book your ukulele course online now!

Our Improvers Ukulele Course is suitable for people with a little experience, including people who’ve completed one of our beginners courses.   Zac has been playing the ukulele and guitar for 30 years. He has a degree in jazz guitar and is an experienced teacher.  Please note: ukuleles not provided. 

https://www.evolutionarts.org.uk/ukulele-course-brighton-hove

Yoga with Dawn Siddens

https://www.instagram.com/yoga.withdawn/

Wednesdays 6:00pm – 7:00 pm

This is an inclusive class, with the aim to leave feeling nicely stretched, and deeply relaxed. Hopefully leading to a peaceful evening and a good nights sleep!The main intention for each session is to move towards calmness in body and mind.
The session begins with some gentle warming up and sun salutations.We then move through classic yoga postures with mindfulness and breath awareness.Variations are offered, to allow for everyone to find their comfort within each position.Usually there’ll be some breath work for balancing or calming body and mind, then finishing with Savasana relaxation.
I’m very interested by the system of the Chakras, and mudra (hand gestures), so now and then I like to incorporate these aspects into the classes.
Contact Dawn 07968 169803 or via Facebook or Instagram

The 1595 Club

Wednesdays 8:00pm – 10:00pm Thursdays 8:15pm – 9:45pm Fridays 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Historical Fencing/Renaissance Martial Arts

“…the more skill a man hath of his weapon the more gentle and courteous should he show himself …”

The term ‘fencing’ originates from the Elizabethan slang for ‘offence’ and ‘defence’ and, in this context, is best described as the art of combat and the science of defence. The system is not limited to the use of the Sword but incorporates Sword and Dagger, Sword and Shield, Pole Arms, and begins with unarmed combat and self-defence.

Our work is based upon the legacy of the Renaissance soldier and fencing master, Vincentio Saviolo, who was the most celebrated master-of-arms in Elizabethan England and whose work is referenced by both William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson.

The 1595 Club is a member of the British Federation for Historical Swordplay and has fully insured and internationally recognised instructors.

For more information please visit https://www.the1595.co.uk/

Pilates for those living with MS

Thursdays 11:00am – 12:00noon 
The class is free – suggested donation £4.50

Run in conjunction with the Brighton and Worthing branch of the MS Society, this new class at the accessible West Hill Hall is designed for People with MS, providing a series of movements and exercises designed to bring the body into harmonious alignment. Followed by a period of relaxation to enhance your overall mood.

For further information and to book your place, phone Lynn Staff on 07939 040014 or email lynnastaff100@gmail.com

Pilates with Helen Douglas

Thursdays 09:30am Pilates general level (beginners welcome)

5:45pm – 6:45pm  beginners – improvers and 7:00pm – 8:00pm intermediate

Pilates is a mind-body exercise method based on the principles established by Joseph Pilates. It strengthens all the muscle groups, but in particular targets the deep postural core muscles which are so important to our body and well being.

It works by using controlled yet fluid movements alongside a specific breathing pattern to reinforce correct spinal and pelvic alignment. Pilates is particularly beneficial in helping the recovery and rehabilitation of many conditions including sciatica, disc problems and general back ache, sports injuries, arthritis, osteoporosis, as well as women’s pre- and post-natal health.

Helen has been teaching Pilates now for over 15 years, and brings a wealth of experience and inspiration to her classes.

Classes are usually run in 6 week courses at £60 per block and places are limited so pre-booking is advisable. To book your place please contact Helen directly: helsdouglas@hotmail.com Tel: 07970 047799

www.hdpilates.co.uk

Discoveries through Drawing

Thursdays – Next start date: March 2025, 1.45pm – 3.45pm, 8 weeks

Tutor: Michael Gale

Painting, mark-making, inks, and collage incorporating art therapy, group work & positive psychology. These group sessions are an invitation to play and explore with art materials, regardless of your previous experience in art. Each session begins with a verbal check in with each other in the group, followed by experiential work in guided art making processes, and ends with a group sharing.

“The art work we make together often surprises. It comes about through our letting go of preconceived ideas, standards or expectations about a finished product. We work together quietly in a supportive space which engenders discovery, spontaneity and fun. All you need to bring is a willingness to experiment.”

https://www.evolutionarts.org.uk/discoveries-through-drawing

Tai Chi with Simon

Fridays 11am & 12pm one hour classes
£7.50 per class or £5 concessions (state pension / unwaged). First class is free!

Starting with basic tai chi principals, you will be studying the 5 Section Solo Hand Form, a short Yang style form devised by Master Sam Masich, one of the world’s leading tai chi practitioners. We will also be looking at some traditional qigong sets with a focus on breath and circulation. Some partner work is involved.

Tai chi and qigong have many health benefits and are wonderful for balance, co-ordination and general well-being.
New students are welcome to join the class at any time.

Wear loose clothing and flat shoes.
Suitable for all ages and levels of fitness.

More information from: office@taichiandinternalarts.com or call 07584 055306

next one.

Brighton Shape Note Singing

Second Friday each month 7:45pm – 9:45pm 

We are a friendly and informal community who meet to sing raw and powerful four-part a cappella harmony from an American book called The Sacred Harp. The tunes are notated in ‘shape notes’, designed to aid sight-reading. Anyone is welcome to come along, whether you have experience or not, whet. her you think you can sing or read music or not, and whatever you believe in (it’s a hymn book, but the singers here are ‘of any faith and none’).

No regular commitment is needed, you can come as late and go as early as you please, and come along as often or as little as you like- though singing the shapes becomes much easier the more you do it. Sacred Harp is social singing- it is not performance music and there are no rehearsals. We sing together for ourselves in the moment, more akin to a folk session than a choir.

Loaner books are available if you don’t have your own so just come along wanting to sing. We cover room hire and tea/coffee costs with small donations that are very welcome but not compulsory.
For more information see www.brightonshapenote.weebly.com
or email Sarah on brightonshapenote@westhillwhistler

Latin Dance with Carola Degener Perez

3 x Fridays a month 7,45pm Beginners and Improvers

click here for more details

Yoga For a Healthy Spine – yoga, movement and breathing with Jane Manze

with Jane Manze

19 October and 16 November 2024 (regular classes to come in 2025)

10am – 12noon – £25 per session 

“In the unsettled times in which we live, I feel a practice that helps us feel more grounded, and that brings us a sense of centre, and calm, is essential for our well-being”

These mornings are essentially a yoga practice, with time taken to explore into ‘the pose’, ‘the shape’ with guided Body-Mind Centering® principles and movement. Sessions include breathing practices.

Themes will include

– the relationship between our breathing and spine to support good posture

– finding our true core and centre for inner connection, ease of movement and a sense of calm

Sessions are for any body, any age who wants to improve the way they feel in their body, their posture, their breathing… and overall well-being!

– flexibility alongside strength  

Beginners to yoga are welcome

Workshops

Please contact Jane to book, for further information or if you have any questions.

Tel 07710362229